Jo Malone’s newest English Pear & Freesia (JM EP&F) is meant to convey a cool, crisp, autumnal afternoon in England. As the name suggests, the prominent notes are pear and freesia. My only pear reference is Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie, which, in comparison, is much more pear-like in a sweet fruity way, along with very green spring-ish notes. The JM pear is true to its marketing copy in that this is not an especially summery fruity floral, nor is it green. JM EP&F is so crisp it pretty much smells like pear wine to me; dry white effervescent pear wine, with a lemon twist and a rose petal nearby. The pear note is fairly realistic but it leans toward representing the tartness, not the sweet, ripeness of the fruit. Imagine a tart pear note casually strolling along a bucolic country scene in England when it bumps into a wistful September sunset of light musks, and soft amber. While you might have guessed that JM EP&F is not my personal thing, I do appreciate its quality and think it will hit the right spot for many others. JM EP&F is an elegant scent made for adults and not a fruity floral for the tween set. I imagine Martha Stewart would find this lovely for an autumn afternoon gathering on her veranda.
Notes: pear, quince, green rhubarb, white freesias, wild roses, patchouli, white amber, musks
